Continuing its commitment to inclusivity and innovation, Apple unveils watchOS 10.5 Release Candidate (RC), heralding the arrival of the striking Pride Radiance watch face. While this iteration follows the relatively modest updates of watchOS 10.4, anticipation mounts for the forthcoming preview of watchOS 11 slated for June.
Primarily focused on addressing a critical issue encountered in the previous version, watchOS 10.5 RC rectifies a glitch wherein tapping the Terms of Service button during subscription viewing could lead to system crashes. Beyond this bug fix, Apple introduces the centerpiece of this release: the Pride Radiance watch face.
The Pride Radiance Watch Face
This new addition to the watchOS ecosystem celebrates diversity and solidarity, as articulated by Apple. Adorned with vibrant hues symbolizing hope, strength, and unity within LGBTQ+ communities, the Pride Radiance watch face illuminates against a dark backdrop. The overlapping beams of light serve as a poignant tribute to the enduring impact of LGBTQ+ activism, underscoring its pivotal role in paving the way for future strides towards equality.
Accompanying this visual spectacle, Apple’s 2024 Pride Collection embraces the spirit of inclusivity, echoing the ethos of the Pride Radiance watch face.
Enhancements and Tweaks
While the spotlight shines on the Pride Radiance watch face, watchOS 10.4 merits acknowledgment for its diverse array of enhancements. The introduction of 28 new emojis, including a lime, shaking heads, a phoenix, and a selection of gender-neutral family emojis, underscores Apple’s commitment to reflective representation. These expressive additions, complemented by skin tone modifiers and gender variants, enrich communication experiences across iMessage and compatible messaging platforms.
Moreover, watchOS 10.4 unveils a strategic tweak catering to Apple Vision Pro users. Acknowledging the shared reliance on double-tap gestures between Apple’s spatial computer and the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, the implementation of the “Ignore Double Tap” setting offers a seamless user experience. This feature temporarily suspends the double-tap gesture while utilizing Vision Pro, eliminating potential interference between devices.
Siri and Multilingual Capabilities
Augmenting the utility of Siri, watchOS 10.4 introduces enhanced wake-up functionality, allowing users to summon the virtual assistant simply by uttering “Siri,” dispensing with the need for the customary “Hey Siri” prompt. Furthermore, Siri’s repertoire expands to encompass message reading in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and beyond, enhancing accessibility and convenience.
Ecosystem-wide Updates
In tandem with the release of watchOS 10.5 RC, Apple extends its software refinement initiatives across its ecosystem, seeding Release Candidate versions of iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS 14.5, tvOS 17.5, and visionOS 1.2 to developers. Vigilant scrutiny persists as enthusiasts await potential revelations unearthed by these updates.
Stay tuned as we unravel the latest developments emanating from Apple’s dynamic ecosystem, promising to keep you informed of any noteworthy discoveries.
